Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
564. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to make it compulsory to have a public services card in order to access a range of services; the rationale for this; and the work being done to ensure that persons that do not have a public services card can still access the services they need. [11076/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of SAFE registration is to verify a person’s identity to a substantial level of assurance. Once identity is verified, a Public Services Card can be issued.
My Department makes it clear to our customers that they need to complete a SAFE registration to access, or continue to access, payments and entitlements. This is not an unreasonable condition given the value of payments made to customers on an annual basis.
Where customers are unable to attend in person, other methods for registration are available. A mobile registration facility is available to register customers who face substantial challenges in presenting at a Department at location but still want to continue to avail of their free travel entitlement. Group registration at community venues is the preferred mode of utilising these mobile registration facilities, but in very exceptional circumstances, single individuals may be registered at their place of residence.
Where a customer is incapacitated to the extent that they may not be able to understand what is entailed in SAFE registration, the Department would reasonably expect that their agent or carer would assist them in making contact with the Department.
The requirement for SAFE registration for services outside of my Department is a matter for the relevant Department. However, the eGovernment Strategy 2017 – 2020 lists a number of public services for which SAFE 2 registration will be required. Others are likely to be listed in the future. The transition plans, including communications, interim arrangements, exceptions, etc., will be worked through by those Departments with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
